Elidel Dosage/Direction for Use

Elidel should be initiated by physicians with experience in the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis.
Elidel can be used in the short term for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of atopic eczema and intermittently in the long term for the prevention of progression to flares.
Elidel treatment should begin at the first appearance of signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Elidel should only be applied to areas affected with atopic dermatitis. Pimecrolimus should be used for as short period as possible during flares of disease. The patient or caregiver should stop using pimecrolimus when signs and symptoms resolve. Treatment should be intermittent, short-term and not continuous.
If no improvement occurs after 6 weeks, or in case of disease exacerbation, treatment should be stopped. The diagnosis of atopic dermatitis should be re-evaluated and further therapeutic options considered.
Adults: Apply a thin layer of Elidel to the affected skin twice daily and rub in gently and completely. Each affected region of the skin should be treated with pimecrolimus until clearance occurs and then treatment should be discontinued.
Elidel may be used on all skin areas, including the head and face, neck and intertriginous areas, except on mucous membranes. Elidel should not be applied under occlusion.
In the long-term management of atopic dermatitis (eczema), Elidel treatment should begin at first appearance of signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis to prevent flares of the disease. Elidel should be used twice daily. Emollients can be applied immediately after using Elidel.
Paediatric population: For infants (3-23 months), children (2-11 years) and adolescents (12-17 years) the posology and method of administration are the same as for adults.
Elderly patients: Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is rarely observed in patients aged 65 and over. Clinical studies with Elidel did not include a sufficient number of patients in this age range to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients.
Method of administration: Elidel should be applied thinly to the affected areas twice daily.